Furlough Watch: Agency-by-Agency Impacts of Sequestration

April 1, 2013

The across-the-board budget cuts known as sequestration now scheduled to hit in two days would have serious implications for federal workers, including mandatory unpaid furloughs for hundreds of thousands of employees, beginning in April. We have compiled a list of possible agency-by-agency effects, should Congress and President Obama fail to reach a deficit reduction agreement in time to avoid the cuts. We will update the list as more information becomes available. Please use the comment section below to let us know if you have additional information about your agency.

Agriculture Department: Agriculture Department will not need to furlough food safety inspectors, due to the continuing resolution signed March 26.

Air Force: The Washington Post reported that employees in combat zones, non-appropriated funds employees, and foreign nationals would be excepted from furloughs. The Post also said that further exceptions would be allowed for "safety of life or property." An Air Force spokeswoman told Government Executive that all Air Force civilian police, security guards and firefighters would be subject to furlough "except at installations where the manning level is under 25 percent."